“I was in shock when I saw them. I was like ‘That’s not me”: Adriana Lima Reacts To Photos and Criticism From The Hunger Games Premiere

When social media users cruelly speculated that the models face ‘looked altered’ responded with grace and shares more on the importance of family

Adriana’s positive and gracious response to recent scrutiny showcases just how resilient she really is.

After facing judgment and speculation about her appearance at The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes premiere, she responded with a bare-faced Instagram picture, Adriana gently retaliated, posting a bare-faced picture on Instagram with the caption: ‘The face of a tired mom of one teenage girl, two pre-teens, one active boy, a one-year-old learning to walk, and three dogs… thanks for your concern’.

“It did not bother me at all,” she laughs as she retells the incident to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia in our December 2023 issue. “I’m very strong that way, and honestly, I looked at myself before I stepped out and I was feeling great. I was with my children, and they looked at me and were like, ‘Mom! You look so beautiful!’ Adriana does admit that she was surprised to see how she looked in the pictures, though. “I was in shock when I saw them. I was like ‘that’s not me’. Everything was strange because I don’t see myself like that. I still don’t see myself like that… you can see yourself differently. I didn’t get offended or anything, though – I was laughing. The point is, I am not 16 years old. I started modelling at 16 but I will never be 16 again. I’m 42 and I’m the happiest I’ve been; the happiest with myself. I embrace my age and I will not change for anyone.”

The supermodel who has worked on a number of female empowerment projects, is aware of how public scrunity could affect her kids.

“My concern about this is not for me, it’s for my children because they were with me, they saw me and then this stuff comes out. I don’t want them to feel the pressure to look a certain way because of other people. If they do that to me, how will they be safe? And the truth is, I don’t think anyone is safe because people are always criticising,” she laments.

To read the full cover story from our Harper’s Bazaar Arabia‘s December 2023 issue click here.

Photographer: Mattia Guolo. Fashion Director: Anna Castan. Editor-in-Chief: Olivia Phillips. Hair: Eduardo Bravo. Make-Up: Kelly McClain. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. On-site Producer: Johana Dana. Lighting Assistant: Alessio Spanu. Styling Assistant: Christian Marchesich. Special thanks to Mandarin Oriental Geneva

From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s December 2023 issue.